Air Flow Studies Apparatus Model FM 34

Fluid mechanics is an important subject and has applications in several areas including air conditioning, aerospace, automobile, and industrial air distribution systems. Study of air flows and its measurement is important for understanding the basic principles of fluid mechanics. Sci-tech Air Flow Studies Apparatus Model FM 34 is important equipment for laboratories in certificate level, diploma and degree level courses of mechanical, civil, chemical, aeronautical, environmental and related branches of engineering of any educational institutions. Sci-tech Air Flow Studies Apparatus Model FM 034 is a self-contained and compact unit designed to demonstrate the basic fluid mechanics principles by conducting measurements of important characteristics associated with a typical industrial air distribution system. The apparatus will enable students to study the principles of fluid mechanics by analysing the flows in ducts and jets. The apparatus consists of a long smooth walled stainless-steel pipe with a bell mouth entry connected to the suction side of the centrifugal fan. The bell mouth entry prevents flow separation from the walls of the pipe at the entrance. The turbulence in the pipe is reduced because of the use of suction fan. Flow straightening vanes are provided to minimize formation of vortices resulting in reduction of turbulence in the test pipe. The fan discharge pipe terminates in a flow control damper (for closed circuit operation) or a plate containing an aperture to obtain a jet for measurements. Two nozzles and an orifice plate are provided to measure flow rate by differential static pressure measurements. Static pressure taps are provided along the length of the pipe at equal intervals to measure pressure gradient along the pipe. A bend or mitered cascade elbow can be fitted at the inlet of the pipeline to measure the pressure loss. Provision is made to measure the boundary layer growth and the mean velocity profiles at six stations along the pipe length by traversing the Pitot probe. Arrangement is provided to study the characteristics of the jet flow by traversing the Pitot-static probe in the jet flow. The probe can be traversed in two perpendicular directions at several stations along the length of the jet to study the jet spread or dispersion. Pressures are measured using a 15-tube inclined manometer. The inclined manometer is provided to make sensitive pressure measurements. The complete equipment is mounted on a steel frame having the provision for levelling. Specifications   1.     Centrifugal fan, capacity about 250 LPS at STP. 2. Velocity in pipe: 35 m/s (max.) 3. Pipe inlet diameter: 80 mm.(approx.) 4. Length of pipe: 2.5m ~ 3m. 5. Bell mouth entry. 6. Interchangeable nozzles (2 Nos.): dia. 50 and 80mm. 7. Orifice plate ID: 50mm. 8. Jet discharge pipe dia.: 30mm. 9. Jet traverse range: 160mm X 600mm. 10. Multi-tube inclined manometer, 15 tube, 0.6m long. 11. Manometer fluid: Kerosene. 12. Bend and mitred cascade elbow. 13. Pitot probe. 14. Pitot-static probe. 15. Probe traverse for duct flow measurements. 16. Probe traverse for jet flow measurements. 17. Support system.   Technical Specifications A.    Centrifugal fan, with speed control:                    Max. volumetric flow rate: 1800 m³/h.                    Max. motor power: 750 W.   B.     It includes a plate with one orifice at the discharge side of the fan to carry out air jet dispersion practical exercises, orifice diameter: 30 mm.   C.    Long smooth test pipe, inner diameter 81.4 mm; length: 2500 mm approx. It includes: Deflector in the inlet to prevent air-separation from the wall of the pipe and reduce the formation of vortices.   Ten pressure tappings to measure the pressure gradient along the pipe A.    Five stations to use the transverse Pitot tube and to determine the boundary layer growth and the development of velocity profile.   B.    Two Pitot tubes:     Pitot tube located at the discharge of the fan, attached and properly protected